Automatic



E. H. REMDE AUTOMATIC CIRCUIT CONTROLLING MECHANISM April 23, 1929.-

Filed Feb. 13. 1922 e SheetsSheet 1 Arraevzr April 2 1929. E. H. REMDE 1,710,071

AUTOMATIC CIRCUIT CONTROLLING MECHANISM Filed Feb. 13. 1922 6 Sheets-Sheet p 1929. E. H. REMDE 1,710,071

I AUTOMATIC CIRCUIT CONTROLLING MECHANISM Filed Feb. 13., 1922 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 W e-N702;

E. H. REMDE April 23, 1929.

s-Sheet 4 6 Sheet Filed Feb. 13. 1922 mm. a m R mww ww mv l llL llL 1 w April 23, 1929. H, REM 1,710,071

AUTOMATIC CIRCUIT CONTROLLING MECHANISM Filed Feb. 15. .1922

6 Sheets-Sheet 5 M F W Agril 23, 1929. E. H. REMDE AUTOMATIC CIRCUIT CONTROLLING MECHANISM Patented Apr. 23, 1929.

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UNITED STATES PATENT :OFFICE- EDWARD H. REMDE, or CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGNOR'TO BAKERQRAULANG COMPANY;

'OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

AUTOMATIC CIRCUIT-CON TROLLIN G MECHANISM.

Application filed February 13, 1922. Serial No. 536,296.

This invention relates to a mechanism for opening and closingan electric circuit and for controlling the same to prevcnt-its clo sing, except .when the current controlling dc;- vice (such as a controller) ,is neutral position. One object of the invention is to provide an improved mechanism ,of this character of relatively simple construction.

Another object of-theinvent-ion is to provide a mechanismof the character iii.,wl1icl1 the operating elements are positively and readily operated to insure complete and speedy operation at all times.

Another object of .the invention is to provide an improved circuit opening and'closing mechanism in which a I reciprocating member,'controlled by .a plurality-of cams, causes the engagement and disengagement of a pair of contact elements to openand close an electric circuit. f A

Other objects of the invention willjbeap parent to thoseskilled in the art to which my invention relates from the following description taken in connection withth e accompanying drawingsp p In the drawings, F ig. l is a sideelevation of a vehicle iwhiclrcarries an electric motor, the circuit for which "is controlled by a mechanism embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is afragmentary side elevation of the vehicle and my circuit opening and closing mechanism shown in Fig. 1, parts being broken away and a portion of the vehicle being shown in dotted lines.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary front view of the circuit opening and closing mechanism, a portion of the vehicle being shown in dotted lines. I

Fig. 4 is a top shown in Fig. 2.

F ig. 5.is a topplan view, enlarged, of the opening and closing mechanism.

Fig. 6 is a section on the line (3 (3 of Figs. 4.5and8.

Fig. 7 is a section similar to Fig. 6, but showing the elements operated to the circuit closing position.

Fig. 8 is a section on the line 8 -8 of F ig. G. I 1

F ig. 9 is a section on the line 9. 9 of Fig. 6. V I

F ig. 10 is a fragmentary elevation on the line 101O of Fig. 6; v

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Figrl l, but

plan view of the parts showingthe elements in the position assumed when the controller has been operated but the circuit is open. V i

. Fig. l2 ,is a fragmentary section on the 1ine 12 12 of Fig. 11.

.Fig. 13 is a fragmentary,section similar to Figs. 6 and 7, but illustrating the position of the elements when the controller is on and atteinp t is made to close the circuit. I

I haveby preference, shown my invention as applied to an electrically driven vehicle, for example, an industrial truck, and adapted it for controlling the circuit to the motor which drives the traction wheels therefor, but it will be obvious that the mechanism may be interposed in any electric circuit, whether the same forms a part of a mechanism for or associated with avehi'cle or not.

In the drawings, 1 indicates the'frameof the vehicle. 2, 2, indicate the Wheels for the truck, ,therebeing four wheels by preference.

Either or both pairs of, wheels 2, '2, maybe steered by a. lever .3 through suit blefop; crating connections. i f Q 4 indicates a platform on which 'the op erative who operates the vehicle, may stand. The platform is connected tothe frame 1 in any desired manner. i

5 indicates an electric motor connected to and transmitting power through a power mechanism 5 to drive the wheels 2. V i

6 indicates the battery or batteries for supplying current to the motor 5.

7 indicates a braking mechanism, preferably including a band 7 positioned to engage a baudiwheel 7" fixed to an extended end 5 of the power transmitting shaft of the power mechanism 5, whereby the wheels 2 will be locked against movement when the band 7 engages the wheel 7". The band 7 is connected to one arm of a bell crank 7..

8 indicates a member pivotally mounted on the frame 1 and connected to the other arm of the bell crank 7, whereby the band 7 may be applied to or released from the band wheel 7", at will.

9 indicates a spring preferably connected to one arm of the crank 7, or some element connected thereto (for example, the link 14) and some fixed part of the motor 5 or frame 1. By preference, the spring 9 is so connected to the crank 7 thatit will normally tend to apply the brake band/7 accordinglyif the member 8 is released by the opemt-v'e the spring 9 will autanmtically apply the brake. T he connections between the member8 and crank 7 preferably comprise a tail piece 10 fixed to the rock shaft 11 for the member 8,, a link 12 connected to the tail piece 10 at one end and at its other end connected to a lever 13, and a link 1 1 connected to the lever 13 at one end and at its other end connected to one arm of the crank 7 as already described. 14 indicates a projection on the lever 13. The projection I i -"1s arr'angedto engage some fixed stop, for example the adjacent frame member 1 of, the frame 1, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. By preference, the brake operating member 8 comprises a foot pedal which the operativef'clan inanipulate with one foot in one direction, against the tension of the spring 9 "to release the brake mechanism 7, this pedal being so arranged that the operative 'canhold it'in operated position while standing onthe'platform 4. .15 indicates a controller ofany'suitable cons ructionf 15' indicates'a lever, operating through a rod 16 and'arm 17 to operatc the controller 15 in either direction, whereby the motor may be controllcdto drive the wheels 2 forwardly oi" backwardly.

11y improved circuit controlling or openingfa'nd closing mechanism is interposed mechanieallybetween the brake operating the brake mechanism 7 or one element 0 thefoperating connections for the latter, (preferably the lever 13) and the controller; l5 and is operatively connected there-- tofwhereby the circuit may be controlled in the.niannerjhereinafter set forth.

lsdndicates a casing or b .z -like member ada ted tobefixed in anyv desired manner to the a.. 1 orothor partof the'vehiclo frame 1; 1191s a cover for the casing 18 rcmovnbly held in position by a plurality of screws or other devices 19.

20 indicates a base of insulating material fined to the back wall 18 of the casing 18. The base preferably comprises a layer of micanite 20* and a layer of ebony asbestos board 20*.

21, 22, indicate a pair of terminals, fired to the base-20 by screws 21*, 22 respectively, as shown in Figs. 8 and9, The terminal 21 is adapted to have connected to it a lead {not shown) ,from the battery or batteries 6, an opening 23 being formed in the bottom wall 18" to accommodate th lead; whereas the terminal 22 is adapted to have connected to it a lead (not shown) connected to the controller 15, an opening 24 being formed in the bottom wall 18 to accommodate the lead. The terminal '22 is fashioned or shaped to provide a contact 25 with which a movable contact 26 engages to close the circuit from the battery or batteries 6 to one terminal of the controller 15 through the leads just referred to and disengages to open said circuit. The contact 26 is preferably formed Oi 'ltl-lnllltij. The contact 26 is secured at its upper end to ablock (formed of suitable conducting material) 27 having a sleeve 28 which is fixed to but insulated from a reciprocatingmember 29, which will be later described. l

The .block' 27 is connected with the terminal 21 by a flexible conductor 30, which is long enough to permit movement of the contact 26 and block 27 with the reciprocating member 29.

The conductor 30 is connected to the block 27 and terminal 21 in any desired manner. The reciprocating member '29 comprises a rod which extends through the casing 18, being mounted to slide at its opposite en'dsin' openings 31,32, formed'in thickened pertions of the end walls 18, 18 of the casing 1S- 7 The rod 29 hasfa'n enlarged portion which is bored-out from one end,;a s=shown 21'0"33' for a "purpose who later 'setfor'th. The enlarged portion of the, ,rod forms a shoulder against which the 'sleei e 28 is rigidly clamped by anut 34. The 'rod-29'is preferably reduced at itsother end, as' shown at 35, in which event the nut 34niay be of a size to fit such reduced end'and. clamp the sleeve 28 without occupying undue space." 36, 37, indicate a pair-of coiled springs arranged in the bore 33 of the rod 29 and en gaging attheir' inner endsthe oppositesides of a collar 38 fixedon ,the inner 'end'of'a thrust member 39. As shown, the spring 36 is'interposed between the collar38 anil the end or bottom wall Qfthebbre 33,"whercas the spring 37 is'interposcd'between the collar 38.:ind a' ring 40,r e1novably fixed at oradja centthe outer or'open'cnd of the bore 33.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that ('1) operation'of the'thrustmember 39 inwardly will compress the spring 313 if the reciprocating member is locked against movement or until its, tension overcomes the resistance holding the' rod 29 against movement in that direction, wherenpon the rod will be operated with a relatively quick movementcndwise toward the left in Fig. (3, and (2) operation of the thrust member 39 outwardly will compress the spring 37 if the reciprocating member is locked againstmovement or until its tension overcomes the resistance holding the rod 29 against movement 'in that direction, whereupon the rod will be operated with a relatively 'quick'moveincnt enclwise toward the right in Fig. 6.

The thrust member 39 is connected'to and operated in either direction by the lever 13, whereby movement of the member 8 to release the brake 7 will effect a closing of the circuit through the contacts 25, 26, (see Fig. 7) and (2) movement of the member 8 in the 0p osite direction will effect 11 separation o the contacts 25, 26, and opening of the circuit therethrough (see Fig. 6). The connection between the thrust member 39 and lever 13 preferably comprises the following instrumentalities: 41 indicates a rod pivotally connected at itslower endto a knuckle 41" provided on the lever 13; at its upper end the rod 41 is pivotally connected to one armof a. bell crank 42; the other arm of the bell crank 42 is bifurcated, and said bifurcations are formed with'aligned open ings which support the-opposite ends of a rocker :44. The rocker 44 is formed'with a screw threaded opening whereby it may be adjustably secured upon-the outer screwthreaded end of the thrust member 30. -The ring 40 ispreferably of such size-as com pared to. the size of the thrust member 39 that the'latter is free to be moved by the crank arm to which it is connected as it swings in either direction; The crank 42 is pivoted on a short'shaft or pin 45, preferably supported by thedash of the-vehicle, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4. Therod 29 may have a flattened portion 29, (seetFig. 8) with which engages the inner end of a boss 29"" fitting an, opening in the wall 18" to prevent rotation of the rod 29 at any time.

46 indicates as an entirety devices which control the movement of the reciprocating member 29 in correlation to the-thrust member. Of these control devices, 47,-48, indicat-ea pairof plungers slidably: mou-nted in' openings 47%, 48, respectively. --The' upper endsof the plungers slidably vfit into: recesses 47", 48", respectively, formed in thewallof a supplemental casing 'member 49:- The casing. member 49 is preferably fixed to the up per \val.1-18 .-of-tl1ecasing-18 by-scrws:or other devices 50. The.- recesses -47 -.48",' are provided as a convenient means for supporting springs 51, which'normally act to push t-hc-plungers 47, 48, downwardly. At their lower ends, the plungers 47, 48, are provided with shoulders 47, 48, and these shoulders are arranged to engage transverse walls 52, respectively, on the reciprocating rod 29. The transverse locking walls 52, -53, are spaced so that when the rod 29 is at its extreme left'position (see Fig. 6) the wall 53 will engage the shoulder 48 and be locked thereby against movement toward the right; likewise when the rod 29 is at its extreme rightposition (see Fig. .7) the .wall 52 will engage the shoulder47 and be locked thereby against movement toward the left.

54 indicatesa combined lock and release device slidably mounted in guides 55. The guides 55 preferably consist of slots or openings formed in theend walls ofthe supplemental casing. member 49 and a groove 56 formed in and extending longitudinally of the upper casing wall 18 the walls of the slots and grooves being shaped to receive the lock and release device 54. As shown, the guides 55 are preferably-disposed in a plane which extends through or intersects the locking plungers 47, 48; accordingly, the latter are cut-away intermediate their ends as shown at 57, so that the upper end wall 57 of the cut-away portions will over-lie the lockand release device 54. The lock and"release device 54 preferably comprises a rod of rectangular-shape. Therod 54 is of a length to' ext-end to either side of the casing 18 for connection at one end with the thrust member 39 and for co-operation with elements of' a mechanism, indicated as an entiretyat 58, which maintains the lock and release device. inoperative in the manner and for the reasons to be later set forth.- l

59, -60,-indicate cams provided on the upper face oft-he rod 54 and arranged to engage the upper end walls of the cut-away portions 57 formed in the plungers 47, 48. The cams 59,60, are so positioned that when the *rod 54 is moved from the position shownin Fig. 6 to the position sh'own in Fig 7, the cam 60 will engage the wall 57 of the plunger 48 and move the latter upwardly in its guides 48, thereby releasing the reciprocating member 29, which (as will be later set forth) is being acted upon by the spring 37; likewise upon movement of the rod 54 in the opposite direction back to the position shown in Fig. 6, thecam 59 will, through its engagement with the wall =57 'of the plunger 47, release the letter from the reciprocating member 29. The rod 54 is-operated in opposite directions by the thrust member 39 through connections, indicated as an entirety at- 61, which permits movement of-the thrust member 39'relative to the rod 54 when the lat-ter is locked in an inoperative position 5 or against unlimited movement as shown in Fig. 13, by the mechanism 58. Of the connections 61. (32 indicates a cross-head having openings 63, '64, at its opposite ends to receive the thrust member 39 and rod 54, respectively, as shown in Figs. 3, 6 and 13. The opening -63 is provided with screw threads fitting the screw threads upon the outer end of the thrust member 39, whereby the cross-head may be adjustab-ly secured to the latter; a nut 65 being provided to lock the crosshead in its adjusted position. The opening 64 receives the rod 54 and permits the crosshead to be positioned against a collar or other abutment 66 fixed to the rod 54. 67 indicates a coiled spring surrounding rod 54 and disposed between the crosshead 62 and a nut 68 screw-threaded on the outer end of the rod 54. (39, 70, indicate washers or seat members mounted on the rod interposed between the ends of the spring and the-cross-head 62 and nut 68, respectively. -The spring 67 acting through the nut 68 normally tends to maintain the collar 66- against the cross-head (32. From the foregoing description it will be seen that by reason of the connection 61 betweenthe rod 54 and thrust member 39, the rod 54 will move with the latter when it is operated, unless the rod 54 is main tained inoperative by the mechanism 58, in which-event the spring67 permits the-thrust member 39 to move relative to the rod 54.

Figs. 1' and 6 illustrate the position of the contacts 25, 26, the reciprocating member 29, the'rod 54, lever 42, pedal 8, brake mechanism 7 and the connections between the lever 13 and lever 42 when the vehicle is standing still and ready for an operative to operate the truck. -To operate the truck, the operative steps on the pedal 8 and moves it to theposit-ion shown in dotted lines :in Fig. 1. This operation releases the brake band 7 and, through the rod 41 and lever 42, moves the thrust member 39 toward the right in Fig. 3. The thrust member 39 through the cross-head02, spring 67 and nut (38, in turn moves the rod 54 with it and compresses 'the spring 37. The cam 60 engages the wall 57 of the plunger 48 and releases the latter from' the adjacent wall 48, whereupon the spring 37 operates the-reciprocating member with a relatively quick movement to the position shown .in Fig. .7, thereby moving the contact 26 into engagement with thecontact- 25 and closing the circuit from the battery 6 tothe controller 15. .With the elements referred to in the position shown in Fig. 7, the handle 15- may be operated in either direction to operate the controller 15 and motor 5 accordingly. If the operative removes his foot from the .pedal 8, the elements referred to underthe influence of the spring 9 will move in the opposite direction, the thrust member 39 first compressing the spring 36 and putting it under tension, following which the cam 59 operates the plunger 47 to release the i'ccil'nocatiiig .member 29. ,Upon the release of the reciprocating member 29, the tension of the spring 36 actuates it with a relatively quick movement to the position shown in Figs. 3 and 6, thereby disengaging the contact. 26 from the contact 25 and opening the circuit there-through. \Vhen the contacts are in such position, the controller 15 may be operated by the handle 15, but such operation will he iueltectual. Thus it will be seen that the elements described herein are correlated to close the. circuit by the operation of the foot pedal in one direction, viz, downwardly, and to open the circuit by the movement of the foot pedal in the opposite direction.

In the foregoing description or explanation of the operations involved in starting and stopping the motor 5 by the manipulation of the handle 15, it has been assumed that the handle 15 and likewise the controller 15 were in neutral position at the time the pedal was pushed downwardly and at the time the pedal was allowed to assume its normal position underlthe influence of the spring 9. When the handle 15 and .controller 15 arein such position,- no danger of course exists nor damage results, if inoperative or any person purposely .or'otberwise mounts the platform 4 (orwithout mounting the platform) and presses the-pedal 8 down, as above described. However, it canreadily be seen that if theoperative through carelessness, or due to falling 05 or leaving the platform, whilethe vehicle is in operation. that is with the handle 15 in operated-positionallowed the pedal 8 .to assume its-nor; mal-position, thereby breaking or' opening the circuit through the'contatztsfand there after theoperative or any other person with the intention of operating the vehicle or for other reasons, pushed the pedal -8 downwardly, themotor 5 would be set in operation, the wheels 2 rotated and the truck driven forsvardly'or b.ackwax'dly"with possible resulting damage tot-hegtnuck or adjacent objects. Such conditions 'might also arise if some one moved the'handle 15 to one of its operated positions and thereafter the operative (without first moving the handle to neutral position) boarded the platform 4 and operated the pedal 8. To prevent accidents anddamage :which would result,"as above setforth,-1 provide the mechanism 58,- alreadyreferred to. Of'this'mechanism,'71 indicates a ring fixed to andrevolved'by the shaft 15 of the controller 15'; At one po'irit in its .circumference'the ring 7 1 is provided with a cam 72 which acts onone end of a slide 73 mounted'in-an opening 74 formed inthe base. board 15 of the controller 15 and a collar 7 5 fixed to the outer face of the base board. The .other'end of the slide 73 engages one arm ofa bell crank 76, pivoted on a bracket 77 which is also fixed to the base board 15". The other arm of the bell crank 76 is operatively connected to'the lower end of a rod 78. The upper end of the rod 78 is operatively connected to a socket member 79, adjustably fixed to the outer end of a lever 80. The lever 80 is mounted on a pivot 81, preferably carried by one end wall 18 of the casing 18. The inner end of the slide 73 is provided with a roller 73' which rides on the circumferential edge of the ring 71 and cam 72. The cam 72 is so arranged angularly of the axis of the controller drum shaft 15 that when the controller 15 is in neutral position, the cam 72 will be in the position shown in Fig. 2 and the slide 73 will be moved to its outer position and the rod 78 and lever 80 will be elevated, as shown in Figs. 10 and 11, but if the controller 15 is operated in either direction, the movement of the cam 72 with the drum will permit the slide 73 to move inwardly, such operation taking place due to the gravitation of the rod 78, socket 79 and'lever 80. 82 indicates a plunger mounted in a recess 83 formed in the extended adjacent end f the casing member 49. The plunger is formed with bifurcations 84 which permit it to straddle the lock and release rod 51- and the free ends of the bifurcations to engage the lever/80. The plunger 82 is preferably-formed with a socket 85 to receive one end of a coiled spring 86. The other end of the spri'ngengages the bottom wall ofthe recess 83. The sprin 86 tends 'to push the plunger 82 downwardly, it being compressed by the plunger 82 when the latter -is elevated by the lever 80,. as shown in- Figs. 2, 3,--and 11, and supplementing the weight of the rod 78 and the elements associated therewith to move theslide73inwardly'when the cam 72 is movedby the controller drum shaft a .IZ, 1-, t W'hen the cam 72 is thus moved, the plung or 82 is allowed to be actuated by the spring 86 downwardly .torthe position'shown'in Figs. 11 and 12, in whiclrposition the body portion of the plunger will-be disposed in the path ofmovement of a shoulder or upstanding member 87 carried-by the 'rod 54, so that-through the engagement of the shoulder 87 with t.he -plunger 82, the .rod 54 will be maintained inoperative, viz, prevented from moving endwise toward the: right as viewed in Fig.- to operate the plunger-48. Accordingly,- the vreciprocating member 29 will 'bema1ntained in its locked position with the contacts separated-as shown inuFigJ 6. .The', parts or elements justreferred'to assume thepositions shown in Fig. 11 at'each-opera'tion of the controller in either direction; accordingly if after the controller is operated, the pedal 8 is allowed to move upwardly, due to reasons heretofore set forth, it will be impossible to close the circuit through the contacts 25, 26, due to the locking of the rod 54 against movement as just described, and such inoperative condition will exist until the controller 15 is returned to neutral position, this latter operation serving through the cam 72, slide 73, lever 76, rod 78 and lever to move the plunger 82 out of the path of movement of the shoulder 87. With the parts in the positions described, should attempt be made to push the pedal 8 down- \vardly, the thrust member 39 will compress the spring 37 and will also move relative to the rod 54: (after the latter is arrested by the plunger 82), such relative movement being permitted by the spring 67see Fig. 13.

88 indicates ducts'formed in the walls of the casing 18only one being shown-and leading to the guides or walls for slidably supporting the reciprocating member 29 and rod 5% for conduc-tinga lubricant thereto.

'ihe-openings 88 are closed by closing de-' 13 :far enoughfor'thecai'nvices 89 which permit the lubricant to be injected intothe'ducts 88.

90, 91, indicate a pair of auxiliary contacts, formed from carbon and carried by the contacts 25, 26, respectively; the provision of these contacts being for the purpose of preventing arcing when the contacts 25, 26, areseparated; The contact 91 is rigidly supported in an opening formed in the block 27. The contact 'is slidably mounted in a tubular member 92 preferably formed integrally withthe block 2550f which the contact 25 is a part; The tubularmember is flanged at 93 at one end and provided-at its opposite end with'a removable ring 94 which limits: the movement of the contact. The contact 90 is- -preferably mounted in a col-v lar 95 which has sliding fit with the inner wall of the tubular members The contact 90 is removably held in thecollar 95 by a cap 96 (having screwthreaded engagement with the collar) which also serves as the means forsecuringone-end of a lead'97 to insure anelectrieal connection from the block 25 The contact 90' is yieldingly maintained at the left end (as viewed in Figs. 6, 7 and 13) of'the tubular member 92 by a coiled spring-98 disposed between and engaging at its oppositeends the cap-96 arid ring 94. v The contacts 90,91, are-so disposed that (1-) in the movement of the reciprocating meinber 29-to'close the circuit, they will engage and close :the circuit ahead of the engagement of the contacts 25, 26,'the spring 98 permitting-the contact 90-t0'be moved by the contact 91 as the reciprocating'-mem-' ber 29 moves i to: its-extreme position, as shown in Fig.7; and (2) in-the movement of the reciprocating member in-the opposite direction, the disengagement of the contacts 90, 91, will follow the disengagement of the contacts 25,26; accordingly,- the circuit will remain closed through the contacts 90, 91, until after the contacts 25, 26, are completely separated and the circuit opened therethrough, such arrangement and operation insuring a breaking of the circuit without undue arcing.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that I have provided a relatively simple construction in which all the elements are positively operated and controlled. It will also be seen that the elements are correlated with and positively controlled through or in connection with the truck operating elements, namely, the foot pedal 8 and controller handle 15, which must be operated when operation of the truck is commenced and finished, so that the operative is not required toibecome trained with the use, function and operation of any additional mechanisms or operating member's therefor. Furthermore, the means whichprevent the closing of the circuit by the operation of the foot pedal while the controller is in the on position is so correlated with the circuit closing and opening mechanism that they automatically operate at all times to positions which prevent the closing of the circuit and resulting damage in the event abnormal operation of the operating-members take-place through accident, mistake or carelessness, as herein set forth.

To those-skilled in the art of making mechfi1llSI1l- -0f the classdescribed, many alterations in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of my invention will suggest themselves without departing' from the spirit and scope thereof. My disclosures and the description herein are purely illustrative and; are not intended to be-inlany sense limitin What I claim is: c f 1. ;In apparatus of the class described, the combination of ac'ontroller interposed in and movable to close and open an electric ciIcni-t,='a movable member, a pair of contacts, one of said; contacts being carried by said movable member and arranged to engage and disengage the other contact, means for operatingsaid movable member, means for lock ing said member against movement in either direction,- means for releasing said locking means when said operating means are act'uated, and means for preventing operation of saidreleasing means in the event. said movable contact'is disengaged from said other contact and said controller is in circuit closing position.

; 2. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a controller interposed in and movable to close and open an electric circuit, a. movable member, a pairzof contacts, one of said contacts 'being carried by said movable me'mber and arranged to engage and disengage the other contact,- means for operating said movable member, means for locking-said member against movement in either 'direction, means for releasing said locking means when said operating means are actuated, and means for preventing operation of said releasing means, whereby said movable member remains locked against movement in one direction, the operation of said preventing means being dependent upon said controller being in the circuit closing position.

In apparatus of the class described, the combination with an electric circuit and a controller therefor, of a pair of contacts interposed in said circuit, one of said contacts being movable and arranged to engage and disengage the other contact, a movable member, connections between said member and said movable contact for operating the latter, means for locking one element of said connections against movement in either direction, means for automatically operating said locking means to release the locked element of said connections, and means for maintaining said automatically operating means against movement in one direction in the event the circuit is broken through said contacts with said controller in its operated position.

4-. In apparatus of the class desc ibed, the combination of a pair of contacts through which an electric circuit to a controller is opened or closed, a pair of reciprocatable slide members connected to move together, one of said members carrying one of said contacts, means for locking said contact carrying member against movementin one direction, a device carried by the other memher for releasing said locking means, means for operating said members in either di rection, and means operable when said controller is in operated position for maintaining said device carrying member inoperative it the electric circuitthrough said contacts is opened.

5. An apparatus as described in claim 4 in which the connections between the said slide members permit relative movement between them in one direction when said device carrying member is n'iaintained inoperative.

6. In apparatus of the class described, the combination 01"" a controller, a pair of contacts through which an electric circuit to said controller is opened and closed, a pair of-reciprocalable slide members connected to move together, one of said members carrying one of said contacts, means for locking said contact. carrying member against movement in one direction, a device carried by the other member for releasing said locking means, means for operating said members in citherdireclion, means normally tending to engage said device ca 'rying member to hold it against movement in one direction, and mechanism actuated by said controller for nlaintaining said holding means inoperative when the controller is in neutral position.

7. An apparatus as described in claim 6 in which the mechanism for maintaining the holding means inoperative includes a cam lixed to the controller shaft.

8. In apparatus of" the class described, the combination of a controller, a pair of contacts through which an electric circuit to said controller is opened and closed, a reciprocatahle member which carries one of said contacts, means for locking said member against movement in either direction, a pair of compression springs carried by said memher, a thrust element interposed between and engaging one of said springs to compress it when moved in either direction, means for moving said thrust element, means connected to and moved by said thrust clement moving means for releasing said contact carrying member after one of said springs has been compressed, and devices for locking said releasing means against movement in one direction when thc.circuit through said contact-sis open'and said controller is in the on position." d j 9. In apparatus of the. class described, the combination of a controller, a pair of contacts through which an electric circuit to said controller is opened and closed, a reciprocatable member which carries one of said contacts, means for lockin said member against movement in either direction, a pair of compression springs carried by said member,'a thrust element interposed between .and engaging one of said springs to compress it whenmoved in-either direction, means for moving said thrust element, means connected to and moved by said thrust element moving means for releasing said contact carrying member after one of said springs has been compressed, and devices for locking said releasing means against movement when the circuit through said contacts is open and said controller is in the on position, said devices being moved to an inoperative position when the controller is returned to neutral position.

10. In apparatus of the class described. the combination of a controller, a pair of contacts through which an electric circuit to said controller is opened and closed, a reciprocatable member which carries one of said contacts, means for locking said member against movement in either direction, a pair of compression springs carried by said member, a thrust element interposed between and engaging one of said springs to compress it when moved in either-direction,-means for moving said thrust element, means connected to and moved by said thrust elemcnt'moving means for releasing said contact carrying member after one of said springs has been compressed, devices for locking said releasing means against movement. when the circuit through said contacts is open and said controller is in the on position, and a cam on the shaft of the controller for moving said locking devices into an inoperative position when said controller is moved to neutral position.

11. In apparatus of the class described, the combination with a controller, of a pair of movable members, means for locking one of said members, a pair of contacts through which an electric circuit to said controller is closed, one of said contacts being carried by that member that is engaged by said locking meanse, means carried by the other member for operating the locking means to release said contact carrying member, means dependent on the position of said controller for preventing movement of said other membeer in one direction, and means for moving said members.

12. An apparatus as described in claim 11 in whi'clrtheoperating means for said members include yieldableconnections with each thereofl; I V

13. In apparatus of the class described, the combination with an electric circuit, of a pair of switch .mechanisms interposed in. said circuit, means for manually operating said mechanisms independently, meansassociated with the operatingmeans for one'o't said mechanisms ,fOllslOcklllg and automatically releasin one movable element thereof, and means dependent upon the operation of one. movable element of the other switch mechanism for preventing operation of=the releasingelement of said locking and. releasmgmeans. w

14-: In apparatus of the class described, the combination -with an electric circuit, of a controller interposed in said circuit-and hav- .ing a movable element, a switch mechanism when the latter isin circuit opening position.-

15. In apparatus of the class described, the combination iwith-a controller, ot'va pair of contacts, a pair of movable devices one-of which carriesone of said contacts to move it into and out of engagement with the other contact, a pair of plunger-s each arranged to engage the contact carrying devil e to lock it against movement in one direction, cam means carried by the other device and arranged to actuate that plunger which is in locking engagement with said contact carrying device to release the latter when moved, means for operating said movable devices, and means under the control oi said controllcr and arranged to lock the cam means carrying device against movement in one direction to prevent release of said contact carrying device and operation of the latter to move the contact carried by it into engagement with the other contact.

16. In apparatus of the class described, the combination with a controller, of a pair of contacts, a pair of movable devices one of which carries one of said contacts to move it into and out of engagement with the other contact, a locking means for each of said movable devices, one of said locking means being operatively connected with said controller and controlled thereby for locking and releasing the other movable device, and means carried by said other movable device for controlling the locking and release of said contact carrying device.

17. In apparatus of the class described, the combination with a controller, of a pair of contacts, a pair of movable devices one of which carries one of said cont-acts to move it into and out of engagement with the other contact, a locking means for each of said movable devices, one of said locking means being operatively connected with said controller and controlled thereby for locking and releasing the other movable device, means carried by said other movable device for controlling the locking and release of said contact carrving device, and means for operating said devices in opposite directions.

18. In apparatus of the class described, the combination with a CODtIOll01,'0f a pair of contacts, a pair of movable devices one of which carries one of said contacts to move it into and out of engagement with the other contact, a locking means for each of said movable devices, one of said locking means being operatively connected with said controller and controlled thereby for loclring and releasing the other i'i'iovable device, means carried by said other movable device for controlling the locking and release of said contact carrying device, and means for operating said devices in opposite directions, said operating means including yieldable connections with each of said devices whereby said operating means may move relative to said devices when said other device is locked against movement.

19. In apparatus of the class described,

the combination with a controller, of a pair of contacts, a pair of movable devices one of which carries one of said contacts to move 'it into'and out of engagement with the other contact, a locking means for each of said movable devices,- cam means operated by 1 the other device for releasing said locking means from said con-tact carrying member, and cam means operated by'said controller for controlling the locking means for said other device.

20. In apparatus of the class described, the combination with a controller, of a pair of main contacts, a pair of movable devices one of which carries one of said contacts to move it into and out of engagement with the other contact, a pair of plungers each arranged to engage the contact carrying device to lock *it against movement in one direction, means carried by the other device and arranged to actuate that'plunger which is in lockim engagement with said contact carrying de'vice' to release the latter when moved, means for"operating said movable devices, means under the control of said controller and arranged to lock said other device against movement in one direction to prevent release of said contact carrying device and operation of the latter to move the contact carried it into engagement with the other contact, and auxiliary contacts connected with said main contacts respectively and positioned to engage each other in advance of said main contacts and to disengage each other following the dis engagement of said main contacts.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

EDWARD H. REMDE. 

